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Friday, 2 January 2015

Mantra Machine - Nitrogen (Album Review)

Mantra
Machine

Nitrogen

Self-released

25th November
2014

The
songs:

1.
Andromeda

2.
Stinger

3.
Predator

4.
Thistle

5.
Nitrogen

6.
Ultrabase

7.
Dunajam(bonus track)

The
Band:

Jeroen
Schippers - drums

Paul
Geerts - guitar, synths

Tjø
van Zuijlen - bass guitar

Review:

Sprung to life in
Amsterdam in 2012, Mantra Machine hit the ground running. They
quickly released an EP, 'Stage One' before commencing to work
on their first full-length, 'Nitrogen', which came out in
November 2014. Like it's predecessor the album is self-released and
why I don't know, because these guys deserves greater recognition.
However, keeping it DIY is many times a better thing than being on a
label. Don't know if a revival is underway or if I've simply been
blind, but 2014 has brought numerous excellent instrumental releases
focusing on stoned, spaced and psyched out tunes. I couldn't be
happier and my elation is even bigger with the addition of Mantra
Machine.

Slow and soothing
'Andromeda' initiates this space trip as you wake up from deep
sleep. Maneouvering the starship called Mantra Machine, the band are
the perfect host on this journey through the interplanetary map.
Building up gradually, the music becomes slightly faster and heavier
only to slow down creating beautiful visions and soundscapes in the
process. And this is the band's trademark which definitely sets them
apart in the best possible way. 'Stinger' starts off even
slower and is more mantric until a surprising explosion leads to some
excellent jamming indeed. The song reminds me in part of Admiral
Browning. Kind of a bad trip at first with a heavy Kyuss-esque bass
line, 'Predator' moves elegantly into slow blues territory
before picking up the pace. It's so rewarding as a listener to hear
the trust the band members have in each other. What I mean by that is
regardless what either of the three guys does, the others picks up on
it immediately. That creates unshackled music which flows freely
lifting it up to great levels. Oh yeah, 'Thistle' is a track
and a half! Just close your eyes and let Mantra Machine sweep you
away. Trippy and spacey it calms you down and cleanses you only to
erupt halfway through which helps discharge any kind of negativity.
To complete the healing process, a beautiful guitar solo leads to an
ebb and flow of slow and fast parts weaving back and forth...which
eventually sets me free. Fan-fucking-tastic!!!

The title track follows
next and is heavy on the synth giving strong 70's vibes. This is
further increased by Mantra Machine's love of jamming which they do
so good. Don't fight it, there's no point, just let the guys take you
away. Immerse yourself in their power and grow with it. A repetitive
riff opens up 'Ultrabase' before going stoner of the faster
kind. Suddenly the tempo drops hitting hypnotic levels and by the
time you are in trance, the band kicks into gear melting your face
while tearing it up. This amazing debut comes to an end with the
bonus track 'Dunajam'. Clocking in at almost 10 minutes, it's
the longest composition on the wax and also the one that incorporates
all that Mantra Machine are. Jamming out in that elegant mix of
stoned, tripped and spaced out sonic way they do so great, 'Dunajam'
is the perfect closer. Hell, it demolishes regardless wherever in
setlist you put it!

Mantra Machine were
another unknown band to me before 'Nitrogen' dropped down in
my mailbox. But like so many times before, my boss knows what I like
and he was spot on sending these guys my way. Can't stress enough
that all of you out there should get your hands on this amazing
album. Help get Mantra Machine out there because great bands like
them should not be ignored...ever!!!

Band Submissions

To those bands who have recently issued their first demo or album via bandcamp and would like to be featured on our 666 Pack Review or considered for a full review or stream please contact Aaron via email including your EPK, band bio, album file or download code, including artwork.

To those bands issuing their sophomore record and so on and would like to be considered for a review or stream on the blog. Get in touch using the same address above

We will consider bands from any genre but exclusively stoner, sludge, doom, psych, post-metal, experimental, black-metal etc. (Whilst I would like to respond to every email, this is not always possible.) Thanks